The new U.S. strategy on the Lebanon conflict: Let it play out
The new U.S. strategy on the Lebanon conflict: Let it play out
After weeks of intensive diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants, the United States has settled on an altogether different approach: let the unfolding conflict in Lebanon play out.
Just two weeks ago, the United States and France were demanding an immediate 21-day ceasefire to ward off an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. That effort was derailed by Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Syed Hassan Nasrallah, the Oct. 1 launch of Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes that have wiped out much of the group's leadership.
Now, U.S. officials have dropped their calls for a ceasefire, arguing that circumstances have changed.
"We do support Israel launching these incursions to degrade Hezbollah's infrastructure so ultimately we can get a diplomatic resolution," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing earlier this week.
The course change reflects conflicting U.S. goals - containing the ever-growing Middle East conflict while also severely weakening Iran-backed Hezbollah.
What a fucking cowardly position we've taken. We need to shake the fucking death grip Israel has on our international politics.
First step is to weaken AIPAC (and the NRA while we're at it)
It's not letting it play out if we're arming one side. That's not neutrality.
Good, yes. Let it play out... without us. But that includes no longer giving Israel weapons and no longer helping to protect them. Let them reap what they sow.